Remote Controller

ABSTRACT

There is provided a remote controller facilitating the operation concerning reproduction of recorded program data and having a user-friendly function. The remote controller ( 50 ) transmits an operation signal of a digital recording/reproducing device ( 10 ) which has recorded television programs. The remote controller ( 50 ) includes a power button ( 60 ) for turning on/off power of a TV for displaying the output data of the digital recording/reproducing device ( 10 ) and a reproduction button ( 80 ) for reproducing program data. The reproduction button includes: a first operation unit ( 81 ) which has time marks from 1 o&#39;clock to 24 o&#39;clock and can be rotated rightward and leftward; a second operation unit ( 82 ) which is formed on the first operation unit ( 81 ) with a smaller size than the outer diameter of the first operation unit ( 81 ), has time marks from Sunday to Saturday and can be rotated rightward and leftward; and a reproduction decision unit ( 83 ) formed on the second operation unit ( 82 ) with a smaller size than the outer diameter of the second operation unit ( 82 ) for deciding the day-of-week mark and the time mark specified by the first operation unit ( 81 ) and the second operation unit ( 82 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a remote controller by which a digitalrecording/reproducing device can be remote-controlled, and inparticular, relates to a technology for improving convenience whenviewing recorded program data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, as means for recording TV program data of broadcastingsuch as a ground wave and a satellite broadcasting (hereinafter,referred to as “program data”), a hard disk recorder which recordsprogram data to a storage medium such as a hard disk drive has becomingpopular. A digital recording/reproducing device for recording digitaldata converted from analog data has been prevailing, from magnet tapewhere analog data is recorded as a recording media of program data.

Particularly, a hard disk recorder equipped with an EPG, an iEPG andothers (hereinafter, referred to as “electronic program list”) is verypopular among users because a recording reservation with a fewoperations is much easier compared to the other digitalrecording/reproducing devices.

In addition, if time to be recorded is fixed, it can have functions suchas an every-week automatic recording function dispensing with user'sefforts of reserving recording of a serial drama broadcasted every weekor so.

Furthermore, capacity of a hard disk drive has been enlarged, so that alarge number of program data can be recorded and stored (for, instance,refer to Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2003-9047).

Patent Reference: Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2003-9047

The technology described in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2003-9047 is aTV program recording system, in which a reserved program can be recordedprecisely when the reservation recording of TV program is performedusing a network, even if the program broadcasting time is suddenlyaltered or extended.

That is to say, according to the TV program recording system, theprogram information center stores program broadcasting information sentout from the broadcasting station which is always renewed in real time;recording start/end commands of the program whose recording wasrequested are sent to the information processing device of the sourcewhich requested the recording, via a communication network based on thestored program broadcasting information, by which the informationprocessing device conducts starting of a VTR and controlling of programrecording.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be solved by the Invention

On the other hand, even though recording and reservation become easy byemploying the electronic program list, users still have to take stepsfor reserving and recording TV programs. And a baseball game broadcastedby a different broadcasting station does not entirely correspond to thegame set by the every-week automatic recording function. Therefore,recording error occurs, if the baseball broadcast is extended orbreak-in news is broadcasted.

If the technology described in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 2003-9047is used, the reserved program can be recorded accurately even thoughsuddenly the time of program broadcasting changes or the programbroadcasting is extended. However, extra equipment for renewing theprogram information in real time is needed, which causes a higher cost.Therefore, a technology which can deal with troubles concerningrecording reservation of TV programs and recording errors has beendesired.

In the case of a conventional VCR or a hard disk recorder, if a usertries to view recorded program data while viewing programs beingbroadcasted, the user must switch TV screen from the present one wherethe program is displayed to a top menu screen where programs aredisplayed for navigation. The user may select program data from the topmenu screen and view them.

In other words, to view the program recorded in the hard disk, the usermust shift screens from a TV screen to a program data selection screen.Viewing a plurality of program data, the user must switch the screenbetween the TV screen and the top menu screen.

Therefore, it has been desired that such switching screens isunnecessary or the operation by the user is simplified.

In general, the various kinds of operations depend on sorts of buttonsprovided in a main body of a hard disk recorder. Besides, a remotecontroller is used to enable operation at a position remote from themain body of the hard disk recorder.

However, at present, a technology for solving the above problems doesnot exist. In particular there is no such remote controller which canaccess desired target program data on the hard disk recorder withcomplicated functions. Therefore, a remote controller with excellentconvenience has been desired.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a remotecontroller for enabling to simplify an operation for reproducing therecorded program data for the digital recording/reproducing device whichmay accommodate recording errors.

Means for Solving the Problems

(Claim 1)

The invention of Claim 1 provides a remote controller (50) for sending aremote signal relating to recording/reproducing of program data to adigital recording/reproducing device (10) always recording the programdata of TV program.

That is to say, the present invention relates to a remote controllerprovided with a power supply button (60) for sending input signalsrelated to on/off of a power supply of a display for displaying outputdata of the digital recording/reproducing device (10), and a programdata reproducing button (80) for reproducing the program data,

wherein the program data reproducing button (80) comprises

a first operation unit (81) which can rotate in right and leftdirections, on the face of whose board formed like a disk time marks of1 to 24 o'clock are disposed;

a second operation unit (82) which can rotate in right and leftdirections, whose outer diameter is formed smaller than one of the firstoperation unit, on the face of whose board formed like a disk time marksof Sunday-Saturday are disposed; and

a reproducing determination unit (83) disposed on the second operationunit (82), whose outer diameter is formed smaller than one of the secondoperation unit (82), for determining day and time data based on theday-of-the-week-marks and the time marks designated by the firstoperation unit (82) and the second operation unit (82), and for sendinga reproducing signal to the digital recording reproducing device (10).

(Term Description)

An “always recording” stands for a function that a digitalrecording/reproducing device automatically records program data understate where the user does not set a recording operation. That is to say,the digital recording/reproducing device continues recording all of theprogram data corresponding to a tuner of the digitalrecording/reproducing device unless any physical limitation such asshortage of storage capacity of the storage device (typically, a HDD) inthe digital recording/reproducing device occurs.

If the digital recording/reproducing device comprises the same number oftuners as one of broadcasting stations, the user does not need todesignate the tuner.

“A remote signal” is the general term of input signals sent to a digitalrecording/reproducing device from a remote controller, for whichinfrared light is used.

“A display” generally stands for a screen of TV with which the digitalrecording/reproducing device is connected.

“A program data reproducing” stands for reproducing program data(digital data) recorded on a storage device of the digitalrecording/reproducing device.

“Time marks” stands for marks displaying times in 24-hour from 1 o'clockto 24 o'clock. Adding day-of-the-week-marks to the time marks andsetting time to the desired time make it possible to view program data.In addition, the time marks may be a 12-hour time display from 1 o'clockto 12 o'clock, which is specified in other claims. In this case, anoperation unit to distinguish AM and PM should be provided.

“A program data reproducing button” stands for a so-called analog devicewhich requires physical operations such as pushing, twisting and moving.As for the remote controller, a display device (a liquid crystaldisplay) where operations are displayed may be omitted.

(Working)

When the power supply button (60) of the remote controller (50) ispushed, the on/off input signal of the power supply of the display issent. When the program data reproducing button (80) is pushed, theprogram data recorded by the digital recording/reproducing device (10)are reproduced. The user rotates the first operation unit (81) in leftand right directions to set the time marks disposed in the firstoperation unit (81) to a desired time, and rotates the second operationunit (82) in left and right directions to set the day-of-the-week-marksdisposed in the second operation unit (82) to a desired day, anddetermines the reproducing determination unit (83), by which the remotesignal is sent to the digital recording/reproducing device (10).

The digital recording/reproducing device of the present inventionprovides a function for recording regularly the program data, so that aprogram not reserved for recording can be viewed. For instance, abaseball broadcast of a previous day can be viewed even if it was notreserved for recording.

The user of the remote controller (50) may reproduce program data byrotating the first operation unit and the second operation unit andsetting to a desired day and time. Therefore, the operation forreproducing recorded program data may be simplified.

(Claim 2)

The invention in Claim 2 provides the remote controller (50) for sendingremote signals relating to recording/reproducing of program data to adigital recording/reproducing device (10) always recording the programdata of TV program.

That is to say, the remote controller comprises a power supply button(60) for sending input signals related to on/off of a power supply of adisplay for displaying output data of the digital recording/reproducingdevice (10), and a program data reproducing button (80) for reproducingthe program data. The program data reproducing button (80) comprises:

a first operation unit (81) which can rotate in right and leftdirections, on the face of whose board formed like a diskday-of-the-week-marks of Sunday-Saturday are disposed;

a second operation unit (82) which can rotate in right and leftdirections, disposed on the first operation unit (81) being formedsmaller than an outer diameter of the first operation unit (81), timemarks from 1 o'clock to 12 o'clock disposed on a face of a board formedin a disk shape; and

a reproducing determination unit (83) disposed on the second operationunit (82), whose outer diameter is formed smaller than one of the secondoperation unit (82), for determining day and time data based on theday-of-the-week-marks and the time marks designated by the firstoperation unit and the second operation unit, and for sending areproducing signal to the digital recording reproducing device (10).

The invention in Claim 2 is the same as the remote controller in Claim 1except that the day-of-the-week-marks are disposed on the firstoperation unit and the time marks with a 12-hour display are disposed onthe second operation unit. In case the time marks are the 12-hourdisplay, it is desirable to provide an operation unit for distinguishingAM and PM.

(Claim 3)

The invention in Claim 3 is the invention where the remote controllersas claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 is restricted, provided with aplurality of the power supply buttons (60) which can send on/off inputsignals of the power supply to the display, and send different signalsto the digital recording/reproducing device (10) depending upon each ofthe power supply buttons (60).

The plurality of power supply buttons (60) are provided for multiple useof one digital recording/reproducing device by a plurality of users,where each of the power supply buttons (60) is assigned for each user.Here, “plurality” means a number of 2 (e.g. for an adult and a child) atminimum and to the number of a standard family member (3 to 5). Forprofessional use, such number will be more than 5, which will be also inthe scope of the claims.

In the main power supply button in the previous case or one power supplybutton in the latter case, if on/off input signals of the power supplyin a display of the television connected to the digitalrecording/reproducing device (10) is sent, and at the same time an inputsignal is also sent to the digital recording/reproducing device,different input signals may be sent to 2 hardware with 1 buttonoperation.

(Working)

When each of the power supply buttons (60) is assigned to each of theusers, databases for a storage device of the digitalrecording/reproducing device are formed for each of the users. Ifvarious setting registration is available in the database, each of theusers may customize the digital recording/reproducing device by usingthem.

(Claim 4)

The invention in Claim 4 is the invention where the remote controllersin Claim 1 or 2 are restricted.

That is, the remote controllers comprises a plurality of menu buttons(65) which send selecting signals of the program data displayed on thetop menu screen, when the program data recorded on the digitalrecording/reproducing device (10) to be a target for reproducing isdisplayed on the top menu screen of the display, by which a plurality ofmenu buttons can be assigned to a plurality of users using the digitalrecording/reproducing device (10).

As a countermeasure for using one digital recording/reproducing devicewith the plurality of users, in the invention as claimed in Claim 3, aplurality of power supply buttons are provided physically. In theinvention as claimed in Claim 4, a plurality of menu buttons (65) isprovided.

As an assumption of the invention according to the claim, users usingthe digital recording/reproducing device to each of the plurality ofmenu buttons are assigned. Furthermore, for instance, data forspecifying favorite program data in the top menu screen in advance areregistered.

(Working)

Each of the users may access the top menu screen customized exclusivelyfor himself/herself by pushing a menu button registered for exclusiveuse of oneself. This may improve convenience such as simplification ofoperation orders when reproducing the program data. Or it may make otherusers difficult to use it, which may improve convenience when aplurality of users use the digital recording/reproducing device as atelevision recording device shared by family members.

(Claim 5)

The invention in Claim 5 is the invention that restricts the remotecontrollers according to any one of Claim 1-4.

That is, the digital recording/reproducing device (10) comprisesexclusively storing recording means (a secondary recording device)physically different from the recording device (a primary recordingdevice) always recording the program data of the TV program, and theremote controller comprises the program data storage button (70) forsending a command to store the program data of the TV program recordedon the recording device into the exclusively storing recording means tothe digital recording/reproducing device.

Given program data are stored in the exclusive recording means providedas storage area different from the recording means. Hereby, it isprevented that important data are deleted by mistake. Or, the importantdata are isolated from deleting target in “automatic deleting functionof the oldest data” specified in other claims.

(Working)

When the program data storing button is pushed, the program datarecorded in the primary recording device is stored in the secondaryrecording device. The primary recording device is a recording deviceexclusively used for always recording to record regularly the programdata of the TV program. The secondary recording device is a recordingdevice used for storing, editing animation, etc.

That is, the program data storage button is a button for executingstoring command of the program data which is storing function of thedigital recording/reproducing device provided with the always recordingfunction.

(Claim 6)

The invention in Claim 6 is the invention where the remote controllersaccording to any one of Claims 1 to 5 are restricted.

That is, the invention comprises a next program button for sending acommand of reproducing the program data to the digitalrecording/reproducing device without changing screens, said program databeing the program data of the same channel as one of the recordedprogram data which a user is viewing and had been recorded immediatelyafter said recorded program data was actually broadcasted.

(Working)

For instance, if a user pushes the next program button 90 while viewingan animation program broadcasted from 19:00, the animation programrecorded from 19:00 to 20:00 will be changed to a drama recorded from20:00 to 21:00. This change of program data is performed per a programdata unit such as an animation and a drama and per a program sectionunit in the program data, and such program data are reproduced withoutswitching screens. In addition, when the next program button is pushedtwice, another program data recorded between 21:00 and 22:00 will bedisplayed.

In the prior art, when a user tries to view the recorded program data,the TV screen where the program data is being shown generally changes toa layered menu screen for selecting desired program data. Then, if theprogram data is selected, the screen again returns to the TV screen.That is, when once selected, if the user wishes to view other programdata, the screen needs to change to the layered menu screen again, whichcauses occurrence of switching screens. The button of the invention isthe button to send control signals for realizing that such switchingscreens is unnecessary. Therefore, the next program button makes itpossible to reproduce program data per program data and program section,which results in improvement of the user's convenience.

(Claim 7)

The invention in Claim 7 is the invention which restricts the remotecontrollers according to any one of Claims 1 to 6. That is, theinvention comprises a previous program button for sending a command ofreproducing the program data to the digital recording/reproducing devicewithout changing screens, said program data being the program data ofthe same channel as one of the recorded program data which a user isviewing and had been recorded immediately before said recorded programdata was actually broadcasted.

“The previous program button” is the button to command an actionopposite to one of “the next program button” in Claim 6 in a timedirection to the digital recording/reproducing device.

(Working)

If the previous program button is pushed, it becomes possible toreproduce the previous program data which had been broadcastedimmediately before the present program data being broadcasted on theactual broadcasting date of the present program data and in the samechannel as one thereof without changing screens. Therefore, it becomespossible to change the present program being reproduced to the previousprogram without changing screens, which results in improvement ofconvenience.

(Claim 8)

The invention in Claim 8 is the invention which restricts the remotecontrollers according to any one of Claims 1 to 7.

That is, the invention comprises a channel switching button for sendinga command of reproducing the program data to the digitalrecording/reproducing device without changing screens, said program databeing the program data of the channel different from one of the recordedprogram data which a user is viewing and had been recorded at the sametime as said recorded program data.

(Working)

For instance, if a user pushes the channel switching button whilereproducing the recorded news program broadcasted on “the 10^(th) day,18:00, 4 channel”, a cooking program broadcasted on “the 10^(th) day,18:00, 4 channel” will be reproduced without changing screens. That is,programs which had been broadcasted at different broadcasting stationsand recorded at the same time can be changed, which results inimprovement of user's convenience when viewing program data.

(Claim 9)

The invention in Claim 9 is the invention which restricts the remotecontroller according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

That is, the invention comprises a previous list/next list button forsending a command of reproducing the program data to the digitalrecording/reproducing device such that when the program data is selectedfrom a list in which the recorded program data are rated and listed in apredetermined form, program data rated immediately below or above therate said selected program data are reproduced after the present programdata being viewed without changing screens.

(Working)

For instance, while reproducing the 5^(th) rated program data among therated program data with the high audience rating in a week, a user mayreproduce the 4^(th) rated program by pushing the next list buttonwithout changing screens, and reproduce the 6^(th) rated program bypushing the previous list button without changing screens.

That is, the user may view the rated and listed program data in turnwithout returning to the top menu, which results in remarkableimprovement of convenience and operability when using the digitalrecording/reproducing device. In addition, there is provided withstoring area of rating lists storing information from which ratings orlists the present rating list being reproduced is selected.

(Claim 10)

The invention in Claim 10 is the invention which restricts the remotecontrollers according to any one of Claims 1 to 9.

That is, the invention comprises a viewing-from-start-button (100) bywhich the program data being viewed can be returned to the top thereof.

(Working)

If the user pushes the viewing-from-start-button, the program data arereproduced from the top of one recorded by the digitalrecording/reproducing device. That is, the program broadcasted in realtime is the program data which have been recorded or are being recordedby the digital recording/reproducing device. Therefore, the user canreturn to the top of the program data while viewing the program data.

In the prior art, the user must take steps consisting of 1) displayingthe recorded program list from the top menu screen, 2) selecting thepresent program being recorded from the program list, and 3) selectingthe chase reproducing from an OSD menu which appears, overlapped withimage on the screen by pushing the menu. On the other hand, in thepresent invention according to this claim, the user pushes theviewing-from-start-button only once, by which the user can return to thetop of the program, causing improvement of user's convenience.

(Claim 11)

The invention in Claim 11 is the invention which restricts the remotecontrollers according to any one of Claims 1 to 10.

That is, the invention comprises a recommendation button (95) forsending the program data which the user wishes to recommend to otheruser.

(Working)

The other user may easily view favorite programs and programs which theuser wishes to recommend to other users by pushing the recommendationbutton. Also on the contrary, the user may select and view the programrecommended by other users.

In an embodiment, each user may evaluate each program by an evaluationbutton such as a “good or no-good” button provided separately for theprogram so that evaluation can be improved.

(Claim 12)

The invention in Claim 12 is the invention which restricts the remotecontrollers according to any one of Claims 1 to 11.

That is, the invention comprises a randomly reproducing button (97) forsending a command to reproduce each user's favorite program datarandomly selected from the recorded program data accumulated in theindividual viewing data storage unit, to the digitalrecording/reproducing device.

(Working)

The randomly reproducing button is a button for sending a randomreproducing function of the program data, by which each user's favoriteprogram data may be reproduced at random from the individual viewingdata storage unit. Because program data randomly selected from thefavorite program data are reproduced, the user can enjoy the programdata even if any program data is being reproduced.

(Claim 13)

The invention in Claims 13 is the invention which restricts the remotecontrollers according to any one of Claims 1 to 12.

That is, the invention comprises a plurality of remote controllers whichcan respectively send remote control signals relating to therecording/reproducing of the program data to one of the digitalrecording/reproducing devices.

(Working)

Depend on a user's request for using the digital recording device, thenumber of remote controllers may be selected. That is to say, if 4remote controllers are provided for a family with 4 members, it will bevery convenient. That is, each member may customize the top menu for oneself's use to the digital recording/reproducing device as an operationtarget.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

Inventions as claimed in Claims 1 to 12 may provide remote controllersby which the user can easily reproduce recorded program data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of thedigital recording/reproducing device.

FIG. 2 is a plane view showing a configuration of the remote controller.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of the program data reproducingbutton, FIG. 3(a) is a plane view, and FIG. 3(b) is a side view.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a TV program selection menu displayed as anindividual viewing data of the user.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing electronic program table displayed at thetime of operating the program data reproducing button.

FIG. 6 is a conception diagram showing a shift form of the recordingprogram data conceptually at the time of operating the next programbutton.

FIG. 7 is a conception diagram showing a shift form of the recordingprogram data conceptually at the time of pushing the previous programbutton.

FIG. 8 is a plane view showing a structure of the remote controller inthe second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plane view showing a structure of the remote controller inthe third embodiment.

FIG. 10 a plane view showing a structure of the remote controller in thefourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing one example of the operation method.

EXPLANATION OF SIGNS

10: digital recording/reproducing device 11: antenna 12: tuner 13a, 13b:A/D converter 14: MPEG encoder 15: audio encoder 16: multiplexer 17: HDD17a: always recording HDD 17b: storing HDD 18: HDD control unit 19:de-multiplexer 20: MPEG decoder 21: audio decoder 22: D/A converter 23:CPU 24: memory 25: signal receiving unit 26: network controller 26b:real time clock 27: OSD 28: input unit 29: DVD drive 50: remotecontroller 60: power supply button 65: menu button 70: program datastorage button 80: program data reproducing button 81: periphery dial82: internal circumference dial 83: determination button 84: daydetermination unit 85: time determination unit 87: AM/PM button 90: nextprogram button 91: previous program button 92:channel-switching-at-the-time-of-past-button 93: previous list button94: next list button 95: recommendation button 96: evaluation button100: viewing-from-start-button 110a, 110b: channel button

BEST MODE FOR PERFORMING THE INVENTION

The digital recording/reproducing device 10 of the present invention isequipped with an always recording function, but has no function that theuser performs recording of the TV program. That is, the TV program ofbroadcasting stations corresponding to the tuner is being alwaysrecorded. The “always recording” stands for a function in which thedigital recording/reproducing device records the program dataautomatically without setting a recording operation by the user. Atfirst, the digital recording/reproducing device to which control signalsof the remote controller is sent will be explained.

(Digital Recording and Reproducing Device)

The digital recording/reproducing device 10 comprises an antenna 11 forreceiving television signal waveforms; a plurality of tuners 12 forselecting the waveform of the channel designated by the user from thewaveforms received by the antenna 11, and demodulating it into theanalog television signal; an A/D converter 13 a, 13 b for converting theanalog signal from the plurality of tuners 12 respectively into digitalimage and audio signals; an MPEG encoder 14 for receiving the imagesignal among the digital signals converted by an A/D converter 13 a and13 b; an audio encoder 15 for receiving sound signals; and a multiplexer16 for receiving the image signal and the sound signal which arecompressed and encoded by the MPEG encoder 14 and the audio encoder 15,multiplexing the compressed and encoded streams, and converting theminto the MPEG system stream.

Furthermore, the digital recording/reproducing device 10 comprises: aplurality of randomly accessible hard disk drives 17 (17 a, 17 b)(referred to as “HDD”, hereinafter); a HDD control unit 18 for recordingdata, reading data and performing various controls for the HDD 17; ade-multiplexer 19 for separating MPEG streams read out from the HDD 17into image signal streams and sound signal streams; an MPEG decoder 20for receiving image signal streams; an audio decoder 21 for receivingthe sound signal stream; a digital-analog (D/A) converter 22 a forreceiving the image signal stream decoded by the MPEG decoder 20,converting the received image signal into the analog signal, andoutputting it into a TV; and a D/A converter 22 b for receiving thesound signal stream decoded by the audio decoder 21, converting thereceived sound signal into the analog signal and outputting it into aspeaker and such.

The digital recording/reproducing device 10 is further provided with: aCPU 23 for controlling the entire digital recording/reproducing device10; a memory 24 used as a working area for storing temporarily data inthe working area the CPU 23 and the system stream, and recording them onthe HDD 17; a receiving unit 25 for receiving various input signals froman input unit 28 of the main body in the remote controller and digitalrecording/reproducing device, and sending the input signal into the CPU23; a network controller 26 (a communication means) connected with a LANand a WAN which can perform Internet communication; a real time clock 26b for accessing to a server using an NTP (Network Time Protocol) of thenetwork controller 26, inquire the present time and synchronizing timedata; an OSD (On Screen Display) 27 for keeping to display a reproducingdisplay even when an input signal of command to display the top menuscreen is sent while the program data being reproduced or edited, andthe top menu being displayed, and displaying the top menu screen suchthat it is overlapped on the menu while the menu display beingdisplayed; and a DVD drive 29 for recording the recorded program data onthe optical disk (a recording means) such as a DVD.

The network controller 26 is connected to the Internet via LAN and WAN,enabling data transmission and reception with servers on the Internet.As the main functions, it is at least possible to receive the programdata by an EPG, to receive the program configuration data and a timeindex, to transmit the user's view data, and to receive date data andtime data using a NTP (Network Time Protocol).

(Tuner)

Since the tuner 12 comprises 8 tuners, it is possible to browse andrecord 8 TV programs at maximum.

For instance, in addition to 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 channels,broadcasting stations of a satellite broadcasting such as a BS or a CSmay be covered. As an example, the tuner 12 comprises 1 tuner boardwhere 8 tuners are installed and 2 encoder boards where encodersenabling to process 4 image signals at the same time are installed.

Alternatively, the following configurations are also possible: 1 tunerboard where 8 tuners are installed and 4 encoder boards where 2 imagesignals are processed at the same time; 2 tuner boards where 4 tunersare installed in 1 tuner board and 4 encoder boards where 2 imagesignals are processed at the same time; and 2 tuner boards where 4tuners are installed in 1 tuner board and 2 encoder boards where 4 imagesignals are processed at the same time.

In addition, although 8 tuners 12 are installed in this embodiment, itis not particularly limited to this, but is possible to increase ordecrease the number of tuners if necessary. As a substitute of thedigital recording/reproducing devices in which 8 tuners are physicallyprovided, the digital recording/reproducing devices in which equal to ormore than 8 broadcasting waveforms can be tuned up, is also possible.

(Hard disk drive=HDD)

The HDD 17 comprises 2 HDDs, an always recording HDD 17 a (a primaryrecording device), and a storing HDD 17 b (a secondary recording device)to store the recorded program data. The always recording HDD 17 a hascapacity corresponding to 8 tuners described above. In other words, itenables recording for 8 days so that it is formed as the capacity isenough for TV programs with 8 tuners to be recorded.

In fact, program data can be recorded for (24-hours×8 days)×8tuners=1,536 hours. The program data which the user wishes to store canbe stored in the Storing HDD 17 b, and the program data will be storedconsidering a bit rate when the user selects the desired program data.The program data stored here can be output to the outside recordingdevice, the optical disk of the DVD drive 29.

In addition, although the HDD17 has 2 HDDs physically, it is notrestricted to this. For instance, an embodiment of 1 HDD where one HDDis separated by partition (another area) is possible.

Also, the HDD17 can be extended if necessary. For instance, the extendedHDD may be used as a storing HDD, a HDD for editing program data, or aworking HDD at the time of recording on optical disks such as a DVD.

(Time Index)

Recording of program data on the HDD17 adopts a link buffer method. Thelink buffer stands for a data configuration where a data area such as aHDD is administrated in a loop form, and the area is handed as an areawith hypothetically a limitless length. That is to say, in the method,the data are recorded as one long file (program data) recorded perchannel, not per program, on the always recording HDD 17 a. In thisembodiment, a time index is added to the program data recorded by thelink buffer method.

(Time Index)

Here, “a time index” stands for an entire data where an identifier isadded to the program data and the program configuration data. The timeindex is added on program data based on TV program lists (includingnewspapers and magazines) prepared by each broadcasting station inadvance.

“A program configuration data” stands for data subdivided depending uponthe program contents. For instance, in the case of a baseball broadcast,it shows a top of a first inning, a bottom of the first inning, a top ofthe second inning, a bottom of a second inning and so on. In the case ofnews program, it shows each section such as top news, today's specialfeature, weather forecast, today's fortune telling, economic news and soon. Also, commercial messages between the respective sections are alsoincluded in it. In the case of adding the time index to program data, anidentifier is added to each section and each CM of program data afterbroadcasted.

(Remote Controller)

Next, the remote controller 50 will be described referring to FIG. 2 andFIG. 3. The remote controller 50 is a remote controller for sendingremote signals relating to recording/reproducing of program data, to thedigital recording/reproducing device 10 recording/reproducing theprogram data. Here, “a remote signal” stands for the general term of aninput signal sent to the digital recording/reproducing device 10 fromthe remote controller 50.

The remote controller 50 comprises a power supply button 60 for sendingan input signal with respect to an input and output of the power supplyof TV displaying an output data of the digital recording/reproducingdevice 10; a program data storage button 70 for storing program datarecorded by the digital recording/reproducing device 10; a program datareproducing button 80 for reproducing the recorded program data and thedigital data input from the outside; a next program button 90 which candisplay the program data which becomes the next program data of therecorded program data on the same screen of TV; aviewing-from-start-button 100 enabling to reproduce the recorded programdata from the top; and channel buttons 110 a and 110 b used for channelselection.

In addition, the remote controller comprises buttons necessary for usingvarious functions of the digital recording/reproducing device 10, suchas a forward button, a rewind button, a stop button, a search button, avolume button, a input switching button, an EPG button and a menubutton.

(Power Supply Button)

As shown in FIG. 2, power supply buttons 60 comprises 4 buttons of apower supply button 1—a power supply button 4. Each power supply buttonfunctions to power on/off the power supply of TV displaying output dataof the digital recording/reproducing device 10. Together with that, eachof the power supply buttons is accessibly associated with respectiveviewing data storage unit for storing a plurality of individual viewingdata set by each user using the digital recording/reproducing device 10.That is, the input signal to the digital recording/reproducing device 10is different from the input signal to the TV In addition, a presetfunction enables to provide TVs of different makers with power on/offfunction, by which TVs of a plurality of TV makers can be handled.

(Individual Viewing Data Storage Unit)

Here, “an individual viewing data storage unit” stands for a unit forstoring viewing data of each user's favorite TV programs stored in theHDD17. The viewing data are like, for instance, user A views a lot of TVprograms in various fields, especially education TV programs. User Bmainly views news and sport programs. User C often views a series ofdrama and a variety programs. User D does not view any TV programsexcept movies. Thus, favorite TV programs generally vary for each user.

Now, in the digital recording/reproducing device 10 of this embodiment,the view data of each user are obtained, and the program data whichbecomes favorites of the each user are stored in the individual viewingdata storage unit as individual viewing data based on the viewing data.And the individual viewing data of the user A are assigned to the powersupply button 1, the individual viewing data of the user B are assignedto the power supply button 2, and in similar fashion, the individualviewing data of user C and the user D are respectively assigned to thepower supply button 3 and the power supply button 4, and the TV programswhich each user wishes are projected quickly by pushing the power supplybuttons.

That is, since an on/off function of the TV power supply is provided,when anyone of the family members tries to power on the TV and start TVrecording, reproducing and viewing, he/she only needs to push the buttononce, by which the power is on and his/her own top menu pops up, whichresults in improvement of convenience.

Further detailed description will be given referring to FIG. 4. FIG. 4shows a TV program selection menu displayed as an individual viewingdata of the user B. When the user B pushes the power supply button 2 ofthe remote controller 50, a power supply signal “on” is sent to the TVWhen the signal receiving unit 25 in the digital recording/reproducingdevice 10 receives the input signal, the individual viewing data storageunit of the user B is accessed, the individual viewing data are called,and then the top menu screen is displayed.

The top menu screen for the user B shows a list of programs which theuser B registered as well as news and sport programs which the user Bregularly views, but not other program data. Therefore, the user B mayselect quickly the registered program and the regularly viewing news andsport programs and such.

In addition, even if the individually assigned power supply buttons 60are used, the user may view regular program data by returning theregular program data to a default screen. For instance, if a navigationbutton for displaying an EPG and such is prepared, pushing the buttonmakes it possible the user to view other program data. However, thegeneral users often have programs which they usually view. Therefore, itis desirable to call the program top menu screen which is the individualviewing data on an initial screen displayed when the TV is powered on.The number of the power supply buttons 60 of this embodiment is set tobe 4, but it is not particularly limited to 4, and such number can beincreased and decreased.

(Program Data Storage Button)

The program data storage buttons 70 is the button for storing programdata recorded by the digital recording/reproducing device 10. Since thedigital recording/reproducing device 10 performs always recording aspreviously described, this button is a storage button for storingrecorded program data, not a recording button for recording TV programs.The program data stored by the program data storage button 70 is storedon the storing HDD 17 b of the HDD 17. The digital recording/reproducingdevice 10 comprises a DVD drive (not shown in the figure) by whichprogram data stored in the storing HDD 17 b can be written on anexternal storage medium such as DVD-R. Other digital reproducing devicescan reproduce such data.

The digital recording/reproducing device 10 has an editing function ofrecorded program data, which is effective to the program data stored onthe storing HDD 17B. In other words, the user stores the program datawhich he/she wishes to keep on the storing HDD 17 b once by pushing theprogram data storage button 70. Then, an arbitrary editing work such asa CM cut may be performed.

As described above, the digital recording/reproducing device 10 of thisembodiment can reproduce the program anytime for 1 week after beingrecorded. However, the program data are automatically eliminated littleby little when the period goes by. Therefore, for the program datastorage function, the remote controller 50 comprises the program datastorage button 70. Thereby, it is possible to store the program data.

(Program Data Reproducing Button)

The program data reproducing button 80 is the button for reproducingdigital data input from the external storage medium such as DVD andrecorded and stored program data. FIGS. 3(a) and (b) show configurationsof the program data reproducing button. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and (b),the program data reproducing button 80 comprises an outercircumferential dial 81 (a first operation unit) which can rotate inright and left directions, time marks from 1 o'clock to 24 o'clockdisposed on a face of board formed in a disk shape, and an innercircumferential dial 82 (a second operation unit) which can rotate inright and left directions disposed on the an outer circumferential dial81, the diameter being formed smaller than one of the outercircumferential dial 81, where time marks from Sunday to Saturday aredisposed on a face of a board formed in a disk shape.

The program data reproducing button 80 is further provided with areproducing determination unit 83 (reproducing determination unit)disposed on the inner circumferential dial 82 whose diameter is formedsmaller than one of the inner circumferential dial 82. The innercircumferential dial 82 determines day-of-the-week-marks and the timemarks designated by the outer circumferential dial 81 and the innercircumferential dial 82, and sends reproducing signals to the digitalrecording reproducing device 10.

Furthermore, the program data reproducing button 80 comprises a daydetermination unit 84 for determining the day-of-the-week-marks aroundthe outer circumferential dial 81, and a time determination unit 85 fordetermining the time marks around the inner circumferential dial 82.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an example of operation method of theprogram data reproducing button 80 will be described.

If a user wants to view a program starting at 21:00 on Monday evening,the user pushes channel buttons 110 a or 110 b at first and sets them toa desired channel, then rotates the outer circumferential dial 81 ineither right or left direction, and sets a day so that the daydetermination unit 84 meets to “Monday.” In the next place, the userrotates the inner circumferential dial 82, then sets time so that thetime determination unit 85 meets to “21.” After setting channel, day andtime, the user pushed the determination button 83. When thedetermination button 83 is pushed, the designated day and time are sentto the signal receiving unit 25 of the digital recording/reproducingdevice 10, then the signal receiving unit 25 sends the day and time to aCPU 23 and calls the corresponding program data. The called program dataare sent to the TV as an output data. Then, in the TV, the program dataare displayed at 21:00 on the Monday evening in the set channel.

Other operation method will be described referring to FIG. 5.

What is shown in FIG. 5 is program data displayed on a TV screen in casea channel setting is omitted. A user pushes a determination button 83using an outer circumferential dial 81 and an inner circumferential dial82 in the same way as the operation method described above. Then, agroup of program data to be broadcasted at 21:00 of Monday night isdisplayed. The user selects desired channel from the group of programs,and then pushes the determination button 83, by which viewing becomesavailable. In addition, the group of programs in this embodimentdisplays program data for 1 hour before and after the set time (here, 21o'clock), by which improvement of visibility can be obtained.

In this embodiment, a day determination unit 84 and a time determinationunit 85 are disposed facing each other, and the day and time are setunder the configuration. However, the present invention is notrestricted to this configuration.

Also, the determination button 83 may be provided with a function like apower supply button. In this case, the day and time are determined bythe outer circumferential dial 81 and the inner circumferential dial 82,and when the determination button 83 is pushed, the program data arecalled and an input signal of power on is sent to the TV This improvesoperability and time shortening when viewing the program data.

(“Next Program” Button)

The next program button 90 is the button to implement a command toreproduce the recorded program data which was broadcasted on the sameday and the same channel as the present program data which the user isviewing, immediately after said present program data was broadcasted,while the user is viewing said present program data, after said presentprogram data without changing screens.

A detail description will be given referring to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a conception diagram conceptually showing fashion that theprogram data are shifted when the next program button 90 is pushed. Asshown in the figure, if a user pushes the next program button 90 whileviewing the animation program broadcasted from 19:00, a drama 1 recordedbetween 20:00 and 21:00 will be reproduced instead of the animationprogram recorded between 19:00 to 20:00. The shift of program data maybe performed per program data such as the animation and the drama andper program section within the program data. Furthermore, the shiftedprogram data may be reproduced after the program which the user isviewing at present without changing screens. In addition, if the nextprogram button is pushed twice, the drama 2 recorded between 21:00 to21:00 will be displayed.

It becomes possible by arranging the program data in a row in a filmshape and shifting the program data depending upon the input signal andthe input number of which the next program button 90 is pushed. Forinstance, while an animation program at 19:00 is reproduced, if the nextprogram button 90 is pushed twice, a drama 2 between 21:00 to 22:00 willbe displayed.

In the conventional general technology, if a user wishes to view therecorded program data, it is necessary to switch the screen to a topmenu screen for looking over a desired data program in recorded programdata and selecting it from the TV screen where the program data arebeing projected. Then, desired program data are selected and it isreturned to the TV screen. Also, after such selection is over, if theuser wishes to view other program data, it is necessary to shift thescreen to the layer of the top menu screen again. It causes frequentswitching of screens, which is troublesome.

However, if the next program button 90 is used, only one time pushingreproduce the program data sequentially after the program data beingreproduced and viewed at present without changing screens, which resultsin much convenience.

(“Former Program” Button)

In the remote controller 50, the previous program button 91 is provided.The previous program button 91 enables a shift in an opposite directionto the next program button 90 per program data and per section. Theprevious program button 91 is the button to implement a command toreproduce the recorded program data which was broadcasted on the sameday and the same channel as the present program data which the user isviewing, immediately before said present program data was broadcasted,while the user is viewing said present program data, after said presentprogram data without changing screens. If the previous program button 91is pushed, the program data which was broadcasted and recorded beforethe program data being reproduced at present are reproduced. In otherwords, the previous program button 91 is the button which operates timewise in an opposite direction to a next program button 90.

As shown in FIG. 7, if the user pushes the previous program button 91while viewing an animation program broadcasted at 19:00, news which wasrecorded between 18:00 and 19:00 will be displayed instead of theanimation program which was recorded between 19:00 and 20:00. Therefore,it becomes possible to shift the program being reproduced at present tothe previous program without changing screens, which results inimprovement of convenience at the time of viewing.

(“Viewing-From-Start” Button)

The viewing-from-start-button 100 is the button for enabling to returnto the top of the program data, while a user is viewing the program datain real time. When the user pushes the viewing-from-start-button 100,the digital recording/reproducing device is reproduced from the top partof the recorded program data. That is, the program being broadcasted inreal time is the program data whose recording has already been finishedor is being done by the digital recording/reproducing device.

That is, in the middle of real time viewing, tracing to the top of theprogram data occurs. Conventional technology generally comprises stepsof 1) showing the recorded program list from the top menu screen, 2)looking over the program being recorded at present from the programlist, and 3) selecting the chase reproducing from the OSD menu whichpops up by pushing the menu, overlapped with the image on the screen. Incontrast, in the present invention, pushing theviewing-from-start-button once may start viewing from the top, causingimprovement of convenience at the time of viewing.

Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be describedreferring to FIG. 8. The remote controller 50 b of the second embodimentcomprises a power supply button 60 for sending an on/off input signalfor the power supply of the TV displaying the output data of the digitalrecording/reproducing device 10, and a program data reproducing button80 for reproducing the program data, which is exactly the same as thefirst embodiment described above. However, layout of theday-of-the-week-marks and time marks as well as a display means of thetime mark differ from those of the first embodiment.

That is, the program data reproducing button 80 comprises an outercircumferential dial 81 (the first operation unit) which can rotate inleft and right directions, day-of-the-week-marks from Sunday andSaturday being disposed on a face of board formed in a disk shape, andan inner circumferential dial 82 (a second operation unit) which canrotate in right and left directions where an outer circumferential dial81 is formed smaller than one of the outer circumferential dial 81, timemarks from 1 o'clock to 12 o'clock being disposed on a face of a boardformed in a disk shape.

The program data reproducing button 80 is also provided with areproducing button 83 disposed on the an outer circumferential dial 81whose outer diameter is formed smaller than one of the outercircumferential dial 81, which determines the day-of-the-week-marks andthe time marks designated by the outer circumferential dial 81 and theinner circumferential dial 82 and sends a reproducing signal to thedigital recording/reproducing device 10. Furthermore, an AM/PM button 87is provided in order to enable a distinction between AM and PM becausethe time mark shows time in 12-hour.

As for an operation method, for instance if a user wants to view aprogram starting at 10:00 on Friday morning, the user at first rotatesthe outer circumference dial 81 in either left or right direction to seta day so that the day determination unit 84 meets “Friday.” In the nextplace, the user pushes the AM button of the AMPM button 87 and rotatesthe inner circumferential dial 82 to set a time so that the timedetermination unit 85 meets “10.” After setting the day and time, theuser pushes the determination button 83. Because the time marks areshown in 12-hour, it is possible to shorten time for rotating the innercircumferential dial 82 and further to enlarge display of the timemarks. Thereby visibility is improved.

Additionally in the present invention, the day-of-the-week-marks aredisposed on the outer circumferential dial 81 and the time marks aredisposed on the inner circumferential dial 82. However, they may bereversed.

Third Embodiment

Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be describedreferring to FIG. 9. The remote controller 50 c of the third embodimentcomprises the buttons for realizing various functions of the remotecontrollers 50, 50 b of the first and the second embodiment, which isthe same as one in the first and the second embodiments. In addition,the remote controller 50 c of the third embodiment comprises a pluralityof menu buttons 65, a channelswitching-button-at-the-time-of-the-past-button (past switching) 92, aprevious list button 93, a next list button 94, and a recommendationbutton 95.

(Menu Button)

The menu buttons 65 comprise menu buttons 1-4 for enablingidentification of individuals. It is possible to assign a plurality ofusers using the digital recording/reproducing device 10 to each of themenu buttons, and to send a signal which can directly access the topmenu screen for selecting the program data by pushing the menu button.

The user is assigned to the menu buttons and the user's favorite programdata has been registered in the top menu screen in advance. The user mayquickly access the top menu screen customized for one's exclusive use bypushing the assigned menu button for one's exclusive use. Therefore, inparticular, when the digital recording/reproducing device 10 is used bythe plurality of users as a TV recording device shared within a familymember, convenience will be remarkably improved.

In the conventional general digital recording/reproducing device (ageneral machinery), in the case of performing an operation of therecording/reproducing, the menu is layered from the top menu. That is,the procedure necessary for reproducing the program in the generalmachinery requires steps of “displaying the top menu→displaying thereproducing menu→selecting a program.” However, when the reproducingmenu is displayed, all playable recorded program data are displayed.Therefore it is troublesome to select the program data in which a useris interested among them. Also, in the case of separating directoriesper individual, as shown in “displaying top menu→displaying areproducing menu→displaying individual menu→selecting program”, one morestep is added.

In contrast, in the digital recording/reproducing device 10 of thepresent invention, when the menu buttons 65 is pushed, the procedurebecomes “setting the menu button on=displaying a menu perindividual→selecting a program,” by which the program data may bereproduced with very few operation. Thereby, the operation procedure atthe time of viewing the program data may be simplified, causingimprovement of convenience.

(Channel-Switching-at-the-Time-of-Past-Button)

The channel-switching-button-at-the-time-of-past 92 realizes a functionin which the program data of other channels which was broadcasted on thesame day and at the same time as ones of the present program data beingreproduced and viewed at present may be reproduced successively afterthe present program data being reproduced and viewed at present, withoutchanging screens while reproducing the program data.

For instance, a news program is being broadcasted on “4 ch, at 18:00 ofthe 10^(th) day”, a cooking program is being broadcasted on “6 ch, at18:00 of the 10^(th) day”. In this case, if a user pushes thechannel-switching-button-at-the time-of-past 92 while viewing the newsprogram of “4 ch, at 18:00 of the 10^(th) day”, the cooking programbroadcasted in “6 ch, at 18:00 of the 10^(th) day” will be reproducedwithout changing screens. That is, it becomes possible to shift aprogram per broadcasting station broadcasted at the same time.

(Previous List/Next List Button)

The previous list button 93 and the next list button 94 realize functionthat when the program data is selected from a list where recordedprogram data are rated in a predetermined form, the program dataexisting in the rate immediately below and above one of the program databeing reproduced and viewed may be reproduced successively after theprogram data being viewed at present without changing screens. Inaddition, both of the list buttons 93 and 94 are provided with a ratinglist storage area which stores information from which of the rating listthe rating list being reproduced and viewed at present is selected

For instance, if a user pushes the next list button 93 while reproducingthe 5^(th) program data in the rating list where the high audiencerating program of a week is rated, the 4^(th) rated program will bereproduced without changing screens, and if the user pushes the previouslist button 84, the 6^(th) rated program will be reproduced withoutchanging screens. That is, the rated and listed program data may beviewed in turn without returning to the top menu screen. Therefore,convenience and operability when using the digital recording/reproducingdevice 10 is remarkably improved.

(Recommendation Button)

The recommendation button 95 realizes a function for sending therecommended program data via a network so that other users may view theprogram which a person views himself/herself and recommends. If a userpushes the recommendation button 95, the user may transmit his/herfavorite program and the program data which he/she wishes to recommendto other users. In contrast, the user may obtain and view informationrelating to the program data which other users recommend.

In addition, each user evaluates each program data by the evaluationbutton 96 comprising “good” or “no good” buttons, thereby credibility ofthe evaluation and recommendation is improved.

The remote controllers 50, 50 b, 50 c in the first embodiment to thethird embodiment may be provided with the number of remote controllersdepending upon the number of users using the digitalrecording/reproducing device 10. That is, in the case of using theremote controllers with 4 family members, each of the 4 remotecontrollers may be my remote controller used by the respective familymember. And the top menu screen and so on customized by each of thefamily members for one's exclusive use may be used to the digitalrecording/reproducing device 10, causing improvement of operability.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be describedreferring to FIG. 10. The remote controller 50 d of the fourthembodiment is an input device which can achieve each function by theminimum number of buttons which differs from the remote controllers inthe first to third embodiments.

Evaluation buttons a1-a3 are buttons for evaluating program data,program sections and so on. “Good” button a1 is pushed when evaluationis good, and “no good” button a3 is pushed when evaluation is not good.“Recommendation button” a2 realizes a function for sending a program ID,a program title, a broadcasting data and so on so that other users mayview the program data which a user views oneself and wishes torecommend. This function is equivalent to the function of therecommendation button 95 previously described.

Button b1 is a “SELECT button”. For instance, it is used at the time ofselecting a plurality of program data and program sections. Button b2 isa “BACK button”, which realizes a function to return to an upper layerin the layered menu screens, and to return to the right-before operationin another operation. Buttons b3 and b4 are “channel buttons”, which areused for switching channels, and also used for selecting items invarious selection screens as “a cross key top and bottom.” B5 is a“rewind button” for rewinding images, which is additionally used as a“cross key left” at the time of selecting items in various selectionscreens. B6 is a “forward button”, which is used as a “cross key left”at the time of selecting items in various selection screens.

Button b7 functions as a reproducing button of the program data, whichis a “reproducing determination button” functioning as a “temporary stopbutton”. It also functions as a determination button for determiningitems at the time of selecting various items in the menu screen, whichcorresponds to the determination button 83.

Button b8 is a “previous program button” enabling a shift per programdata and section. It implements a command to reproduce the program datawhich was broadcasted immediately before the present program data beingreproduced and viewed at present on the same date and the same channelas ones of said present program data, sequentially after said presentprogram data, without changing screens, while reproducing the programdata. It is equivalent to a function of the previous program button 91described above.

Button c1 is a “MEMU button”, which realizes a function to displayvarious overlaid menus on the TV screen such as a menu to register theregularly-viewed program data, one to store program data, one to adjustpicture quality, and one to adjust quick viewing. Button c2 is an “INFObutton”, which realizes a function to display the information on theprogram being viewed, overlaid on the screen. Button c3 is a “SKIPbutton” for forwarding the program being reproduced for 30 seconds.

Button d1 is a “volume down button” for performing sound adjustment,which realizes a function to lower the sound volume. Button d2 is a“volume up button”, which realizes a function to raise the sound volume.Button d3 is a “MUTE button”, which realizes a function to make thesound volume off temporarily.

Button e1 is a “power supply button”, which realizes a function toperform on/off of the power supply of the TV Buttons f1-f5 are “buttonsper individuals”, which enable a plurality of users using the digitalrecording/reproducing device 10 to be assigned and is equivalent to afunction of the menu button 65. In addition, the “power supply button”and the “individual button” are disposed on the sidepiece of the remotecontroller 50 d.

An example of operation method by using the remote controller 50 d willbe described referring to FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 shows a menu screen displayed on the TV for selecting a programdata which a user wishes to view from program data recorded on thedigital recording/reproducing device 10. The menu screen enables a userto select a selection menu of day of the week and time by buttons b6 orb7, and to decide desired day of the week and time by button b3 or b4.After the desired day and time are selected, determination is made bypushing button b7.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention has applicability in manufacturing industry andsales industry of digital recording/reproducing devices, manufacturingindustry and sales industry of the remote controllers in householdelectrical appliances, and service industry of providing program data,and so on.

1. A remote controller for sending a remote signal relating torecording/reproducing of program data to a digital recording/reproducingdevice always recording the program data of TV program comprising: apower supply button for sending input signals related to on/off of apower supply of a display for displaying output data of the digitalrecording/reproducing device, and a program data reproducing button forreproducing the program data, the program data reproducing buttoncomprising: a first operation unit which can rotate in right and leftdirections, on the face of whose board formed like a disk time marks of1 to 24 o'clock are disposed; a second operation unit which can rotatein right and left directions, whose outer diameter is formed smallerthan one of the first operation unit, on the face of whose board formedlike a disk time marks of Sunday-Saturday are disposed; and areproducing determination unit disposed on the second operation unit,whose outer diameter is formed smaller than one of the second operationunit, for determining day and time data based on theday-of-the-week-marks and the time marks designated by the firstoperation unit and the second operation unit, and for sending areproducing signal to the digital recording reproducing device.
 2. Aremote controller for sending a remote signal relating torecording/reproducing of program data to a digital recording/reproducingdevice always recording the program data of TV program comprising: apower supply button for sending input signals related to on/off of apower supply of a display for displaying output data of the digitalrecording/reproducing device, and a program data reproducing button forreproducing the program data, the program data reproducing buttoncomprising: a first operation unit which can rotate in right and leftdirections, on the face of whose board formed like a diskday-of-the-week-marks of Sunday to Saturday are disposed; a secondoperation unit which can rotate in right and left directions, whoseouter diameter is formed smaller than one of the first operation unit,on the face of whose board formed like a disk time marks of 1 to 12o'clock are disposed; and a reproducing determination unit disposed onthe second operation unit, whose outer diameter is formed smaller thanone of the second operation unit, for determining day and time databased on the day-of-the-week-marks and the time marks designated by thefirst operation unit and the second operation unit, and for sending areproducing signal to the digital recording reproducing device.
 3. Theremote controller as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising a plurality ofthe power supply buttons, which can send on/off input signals of thepower supply to the display, and send different signals to the digitalrecording/reproducing device depending upon each of the power supplybuttons.
 4. The remote controller as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprisinga plurality of menu buttons which send selecting signals of the programdata displayed on the top menu screen, when the program data recorded onthe digital recording/reproducing device to be a target for reproducingis displayed on the top menu screen of the display, by which a pluralityof menu buttons can be assigned to a plurality of users using thedigital recording/reproducing device.
 5. The remote controller accordingto any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the digital recording/reproducingdevice comprises exclusively storing recording means physicallydifferent from the recording device always recording the program data ofthe TV program, and the remote controller comprises the program datastorage button for sending a command to store the program data of the TVprogram recorded on the recording device into the exclusively storingrecording means to the digital recording/reproducing device.
 6. Theremote controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising anext program button for sending a command of reproducing the programdata to the digital recording/reproducing device without changingscreens, said program data being the program data of the same channel asone of the recorded program data which a user is viewing and had beenrecorded immediately after said recorded program data was actuallybroadcasted.
 7. The remote controller according to any one of claims 1to 6, comprising a previous switching button for sending a command ofreproducing the program data to the digital recording/reproducing devicewithout changing screens, said program data being the program data ofthe same channel as one of the recorded program data which a user isviewing and had been recorded immediately before said recorded programdata was actually broadcasted.
 8. The remote controller according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, comprising a channel switching button for sendinga command of reproducing the program data to the digitalrecording/reproducing device without changing screens, said program databeing the program data of the channel different from one of the recordedprogram data which a user is viewing and had been recorded at the sametime as said recorded program data.
 9. The remote controller accordingto any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a previous list/next list buttonfor sending a command of reproducing the program data to the digitalrecording/reproducing device such that when the program data is selectedfrom a list in which the recorded program data are rated and listed in apredetermined form, program data rated immediately below or above therate said selected program data are reproduced after the present programdata being viewed without changing screens.
 10. The remote controlleraccording to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising aviewing-from-start-button by which the program data being viewed can bereturned to the top thereof.
 11. The remote controller according to anyone of claims 1 to 10, comprising a recommendation button for sendingthe program data which the user wishes to recommend to other user. 12.The remote controller according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprisinga randomly reproducing button for sending a command to reproduce eachuser's favorite program data randomly selected from the recorded programdata accumulated in the individual viewing data storage unit, to thedigital recording/reproducing device.
 13. The remote controlleraccording to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a plurality of remotecontrollers which can respectively send remote control signals relatingto the recording/reproducing of the program data to one of the digitalrecording/reproducing devices.